How hormonal signals shape brain wiring
Neuroendocrine Control of Synaptic Connectivity
This project looks at how hormone-like signals change nerve connections in ways that may relate to autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327412 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using a tiny roundworm model (C. elegans) to learn how insulin-like signaling from other cells changes left-right nerve connections. They study how experience alters those asymmetric connections and which molecular signals control them. Although the work is done in worms, the team links these basic mechanisms to brain asymmetry seen in autism and other neuropsychiatric conditions. The hope is that understanding these pathways will guide future research toward human-relevant targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients, but its findings would be most relevant to adults with autism spectrum disorder who are interested in how brain connectivity differences arise.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatments, including children with ASD, will not directly benefit because this is laboratory research using animal models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to biological pathways that become targets for future diagnostics or treatments for connectivity differences in autism.
How similar studies have performed: Related basic-science studies in worms and other models have shown that insulin signaling can change neuronal connections, but direct translation to human autism remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buelow, Hannes Erich — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Buelow, Hannes Erich
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.